Pom Pom Quarterly Summer 2016: A Review

Pom Pom Quarterly has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Altair shawl. Pretty basic crocheted shawl.

Catchfly top. A wearable and flattering classic.

Olivette top & tunic. The asymmetry in this one is interesting, and the shaping is good.

Nouri sweater. This one has a certain relaxed elegance. I like the side detail, and it drapes beautifully.

Trailbreeze tank. The back shaping on this piece is much too mudflappy for my liking.

Tannery Falls tank. This one looks like its designer started out to make a potholder and just kept going.

Red Bull Isle tank. If I saw this one someone out in public, I would be trying to decide whether the top was designed this way or whether it was caught on itself.

Vaara top. The eyelet effect at the shoulders and detailing at the waist elevates this one above the usual basic tee.

Windlass top. I love the Aran detailing on this one, but I would nix the side vents and back mullet hem.

Thornett tank. This one has a lot going for it, but the way it bags and sags in the middle is so unfortunate. It's probably nothing some shaping and proper sizing wouldn't fix, and I do like the shaping of the straps and the side detail.

Hollis bag. This is a nice looking summer bag that has the simple, slightly rustic effect of a straw bag without straw's roughness and tendency to break and snag other items. I'd line it with a pretty fabric, and possibly also interfacing, to help it keep its shape. One can also sew pockets into a fabric lining.

Interweave Knits Summer 2016: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Cruz Shawl. This is a lovely piece of lacework that I am trying very hard not to associate with a certain former American presidential hopeful.

Catalina Shawl. Gorgeous.





Ventura Tank. Well shaped, nicely detailed, and I love the back.

Anacapa wrap. Beautiful.

Venice Top. The yoke is a nice piece of design, but the bottom is so shapeless and frumpy even on this model, and I don't know what's going on at the centre point of the bottom of the yoke, but whatever it is, it looks like a hole and a mistake.

Rosa Wrap. Another attractive shawl.

Clemente Tank. This is rather fetching and stylish in a contemporary sort of way. I wouldn't want to wear anything with this sort of loose front panel as it adds bulk and I don't need my front bulked up to a greater extent than nature has already done, but it could look quite good on a smaller-breasted woman, and I love the back.

Kingston Tank. Not bad. The lace side panels are a nice touch. I'd consider making this a little longer so that it could be worn as a beach coverup.

Pierpoint Shawl. Lovely. This is definitely an issue for lace shawl lovers.

Rimrock Vest. Useful and rather handsome little piece.

Two Tree Cardigan. The stitchwork is attractive and the shaping isn't bad overall, but I do wish those open fronts sat a little bit better.

Crossroads Carryall. This is a nice-looking classic bag -- it's like a knitted equivalent to the iconic Land's End tote. It's lined, which will make it reasonably sturdy.

Rivers Blanket. This is quite attractive and cleverly designed. The designer has gone with a Hudson's Bay blanket-inspired colourway, which does look nice, but I'm imagining it in a lot of other palettes as well.

Timbers Sweater. Classic shawl-collared men's sweater.

Harding Cardigan. Quite like this one. It sits so well, and it has a certain relaxed elegance to it.

Trail Henley. This is a comfortable and nice-looking piece.

Pinewood Pullover. Good shaping (I do love a ballet neckline), and the stitchwork is attractive.

Pathway Tee. Nice shaping, and the lacy back gives it all the interest it needs.

Santa Fe Belt. This is a little boho for me in style, but there's no denying that this belt is well and carefully designed.

As a bonus, Interweave Knits offers sewing patterns for these two sewn items, the Chief Joseph Skirt and the Whisperwool Clutch. I'm not thrilled with either pattern, as the skirt doesn't have particularly good lines and the clutch looks like something slapped together, but if you find them appealing, there are patterns available at the links provided.

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2016: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released their Spring/Summer issue for 2016. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1, Lace Turtleneck. This is quite gorgeous. Though I for one would live in terror of snagging it on something.

Pattern #2, Leaf Lace Tank. Pretty, but I would go for a contrast colour camisole underneath, for, as we all know, "nude tone underwear" is practically never a match to anyone's skin tone and simply looks drearily utilitarian.

Pattern #3, Leaf Motif Wrap. I'm not usually a big fan of openwork designs, but I like this one. The holes are well-shaped and look like a pattern rather than just holes.

Pattern #4, Lace Jacket. Some beautiful lacework in this, and good shaping.

Pattern #5, Open Front Cardigan. This one would be a good way to dress up a simple, monochrome outfit.

Pattern #6, Sampler Jacket. The play of colour in this jacket is impressively artistic and painterly.

Pattern #7, Cocoon Cardigan. The shape of this one is a bit different -- it's a longer version of a shrug. I think it works, though I might reserve it for wear over relatively fitted outfits.

Pattern #8, Ribbed Arm Warmers. I quite like these, though the thought of wearing such things in summer makes me want to curl up and die.

Pattern #9, Cropped Lace Poncho. The real benefit of this one is that if you find you didn't bring enough enviro bags to the grocery store, you can just take this piece off and put your produce in it.

Pattern #10, Lace Wrap. This is quite lovely, though the psychedelic yarn choice, while a cool effect in itself, is making my eyes go out of focus.

Pattern #11, Graystone Harbor Shawl. Love the lacework in this one.

Pattern #12, Two-Colour Triangle Shawl. This one is actually quite cool, an artful mix of traditional lace and contemporary style. I think I'd want to go with a more interesting colour choice, though.

Pattern #13, A-Line Tunic. Not bad. I'd want to buy a few tops in complementary colours and patterns for wear underneath it in order to make the most of the front openwork panel.

Pattern #14, Knotted Cowl. The stitchwork is really good, and I can see this piece looking stylish on the right person and on the right outfit, but those knotted fringes would make me feel like I was wearing a macramé plant holder.

Pattern #15, Banded Lace Pullover. Can't say I care for the solid chest-level band on this. It looks too obviously like a bra. I'd go all the way with this one and make the whole thing in a lace pattern.

Pattern #16, Cross Stitch Vest. I don't think I've ever seen an effect quite like the "cross stitch" openwork stitch in this vest. I like the look, which gives the vest some interest and makes it summery.

Pattern #17, Lace Tunic. Some nice stitchwork in this, but I'd want to neaten up the fit and shorten those sleeves.

Pattern #18, Eyelet Pullover. Pretty lace summer sweater.

Pattern #19, Lace Tank. Love both the delicate lacework and the subtly coloured yarn used here.

Pattern #20, Lacy Poncho. The real benefit of this one is that if the wearer ever gets tired of it, she can hang it up over her kitchen window.

Pattern #21, Cap-Sleeve Top. Pretty, and the lacework is nice, but I don't think I could resist adding some ribbing or a crocheted edging at the neckline, armholes, and hemline to make it look a little more finished.

Pattern #22, Retro Intimates. These are a lovely nod to lingerie of the past, and the model does look fetching, but they're not terribly practical, as the bra would offer little support to women who need support, and knitted underwear would be too thick to be wearable under very many outfits. But then perhaps it's intended to be worn on, er, special occasions, and for a maximum of five minutes.